How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy Weed Legally? – Medical Card Age Limits

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The legal age to purchase marijuana in areas where it has been legalized for recreational use is 21, but what age do you have to be if you have a medical card?

In this article, you will learn about the legal requirements for obtaining a medical card before you are considered an adult.

At What Age Can You Get a Medical Marijuana Card?

How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy Weed?

Currently, medical marijuana is permitted in 37 states. The age difference between a medical card and a recreational marijuana card is not widely known.

The minimum age requirement to apply for a medical card varies from state to state. However, there is not a single state that allows the minor to hold a medical marijuana card. If the patient is minor, a caregiver must submit the application on their behalf. If the patient is at least 18 years of age then he or she is eligible for registering themselves.

Understanding the General Age Restrictions for Cannabis Purchase

In 1970, federal law classified marijuana as having “high abuse potential with no accepted medical use” and was designated as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 made certain cannabis products (including hemp) legal to manufacture and sell by removing them from the Controlled Substances Act. But at the federal level, anything with 0.3% or more THC is still regarded as illegal.

In some states, where marijuana is legal, you have to be at least 21 years old while other states set the minimum age limit to 18.

There are several states where cannabis purchases are not age-restricted but the rule is that the product you are purchasing must have CBD derived from hemp and it shouldn’t contain THC more than 0.3%.

When Can You Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card?

Without parental permission, it is illegal for anybody under the age of 18 to possess or obtain marijuana, even for medical purposes. No parental permission is required for patients between the ages of 18 and 20 to apply for a medical marijuana card.

People frequently ask if they can get a medical marijuana card for a minor in California as California has less strict laws than any other state.

In California, minors must have parental or guardian consent until the age of 18. However, people between 18-20 can get their card independently (recreational marijuana is legal at 21).

States with Medical Marijuana Age Limits of 16 or Below

No state permits a person under the age of 16 to hold a medical card on their own. A minor must nominate a caregiver to apply for a medical card on their behalf. Every state has its own set of regulations regarding the marijuana usage for minors.

Although no state allows minors to consume marijuana on school property, Illinois set a unique example of this by passing “Ashley’s Law” in 2018. An overview of Ashley’s law is given below:

• It permits parents to give students medical marijuana on school property.
• The law permits specially qualified school nurses to administer or supervise the child’s administration.
• It covers marijuana products that are topical, ingested, applied as a patch, edible, and in other non-smoking forms.

But for using marijuana in school property and other public places, your child must have any qualifying condition that is not being treated with other traditional medicines.

States with Medical Marijuana Age Limits of 18 or Below

There is no state that allows the person below the age of 18 to hold a medical card but there are some states that require the patient to be at least 18. Here are the states where you must be at least 18 years old:

California: There are initiatives to make CBD products completely legal in California but you must be at least 18 to buy them with a medical marijuana card.

Colorado: If you are 18 years of age or older you can hold a medical marijuana card in Colorado. With your MMJ card you can legally purchase both CBD made from hemp and hemp flowers.

Connecticut: You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a medical marijuana card in Connecticut. Additionally, you must have a separate license to sell or grow CBD, which you can apply later.

Delaware: In Delaware, if you have a medical marijuana card and are at least 18 years old, you can buy both CBD derived from hemp and CBD derived from marijuana.

States with Medical Marijuana Age Limits Below 21

Below are the states that allows the patient to be at least 19 years of age to hold a medical marijuana card without parental consent:

Alabama: In Alabama, patients must be 19 years old to apply for a medical marijuana card without parental consent. In Alabama, patients under 19 are not allowed to use cannabis with more than 3% THC.

North Dakota: If you are 19 years of age, you can legally purchase cannabis without getting consent from your parents. But make sure that the product you are buying should not contain THC content more than 6%.

Wisconsin: Wisconsin only allows the usage of low THC oils to the patients who are 19 years old.

States with Medical Marijuana Age Limits of 21 or Above

Alaska: In Alaska, you must be at least 21 years old to apply for a medical marijuana card. Alaska has a lengthy process as compared to other states. As a result, purchasing CBD products in Alaska can be difficult.

Illinois: Anyone in Illinois who is at least 21 years old can apply for a medical marijuana card.

Other states that require you to be at least 21 to apply for MMJ card are:

• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Utah

Recreational Marijuana: What’s the Minimum Age for Purchase?

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 makes it unlawful to sell or possess marijuana on a federal level. Only 21 states have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes in which states like Alaska, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Oregon, and Washington are included.

An individual who is 21 years of age or older may possess a small amount of marijuana in these five jurisdictions. An individual is only allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana in Alaska, Colorado, and Washington; up to two ounces in the District of Columbia; and up to eight ounces in Oregon.

States with Recreational Marijuana Age Limits of 16 or Below

Nobody under the age of 16 is allowed to buy marijuana in any state for recreational purposes.

Additionally, all states have banned the sale and use of marijuana for those who are at this age or younger due to concerns about how it affects adolescents’ brains.

States with Recreational Marijuana Age Limits of 18 or Below

No state allows marijuana for recreational purchases for anyone who is under 18 for the same reason mentioned above.

But what age must one be to get medical marijuana? If they are under 18 years old, several states permit minors to get medical marijuana. But most need a designated caregiver to buy and administer cannabis on their behalf.

States with Recreational Marijuana Age Limits Below 21

There is no state that allows the marijuana for recreational purposes between the ages 19 and 20. The main reason for this age restriction is that many states considered marijuana as the same drug as alcohol.

As for alcohol consumption, you have to be 21 years old, the same age requirement applies for recreational marijuana.

States with Recreational Marijuana Age Limits of 21 or Above

These states are:

California: In California, marijuana is permitted for recreational use. Up to an ounce is permissible for adults over the age of 21.

Colorado: Colorado has legalized marijuana use for recreational purposes. Up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana or items infused with cannabis and 8 grams of concentrates are legal for adults over the age of 21.

Connecticut: In Connecticut, marijuana for recreational use is permitted. Up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis can be carried by adults over 21.

Illinois: Illinois has legalized cannabis for recreational purposes. State residents who are 21 or older can possess cannabis up to 30 grams, but only 15 grams can be possessed by out-of-state visitors.

Maryland: In Maryland, the recreational use of cannabis is permitted. Adults aged 21 and over are permitted to possess up to 1.5 ounces of dried cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, 750 milligrams or less of THC in edible form, and four plants in one home.

Massachusetts: In Massachusetts, marijuana can be purchased by adults over 21 up to 1 ounce, but they are not allowed to use it in public.

Missouri: In Missouri, purchase and possession of up to 3 ounces of dried, processed marijuana or its equivalent is legal for adults over 21.

Consequences of Violating Medical or Recreational Marijuana Age Rules

Violating the age rules might get you in legal trouble. Every state has its own penalties on violating the age rule of medical or recreational marijuana.

Let’s take an example of California. In California, possession of more than 28.5 grams of marijuana flower becomes a misdemeanor, which carries a penalty of up to $500 in fines and/or 6 months in jail.

If the amount was 28.5 grams or less, the person was 18 years of age or older, and the possession took place on school property, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $500.

If the offender is under the age of 18, the offense is considered an infraction and is subject to up to 40 hours of community service or up to 8 hours of drug counseling.

Ready to Get Your Medical Marijuana Card? Here’s How!

You can apply for the medical marijuana card by following the below steps:

• Register yourself online with KIF
• Wait for the confirmation for the online consultation
• Attend the online consultation
• Get yourself approved
• Get your medical card

Conclusion

Some states only permit customers who are older than 21 to apply for MMJ cards, while the majority of medical marijuana programs permit people over the age of 18 to hold MMJ cards, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a registered caregiver who can submit the card application on their behalf.

If you violate the age rules, you can face harsh penalties therefore it is always recommended to check the state law before applying for an MMJ card.